Rugby league: Rochdale Masters tackle Siddal for own 'War of the Roses'

A not-so-quiet pint on the bus on the way back

Rochdale Masters made the short trip to Halifax-based Siddal on Saturday (20 August) for their Masters ‘War of the Roses’.

Officially, there are no winners in the Masters games as the game focuses on encouraging older players back to the sport and supporting grassroots clubs whilst having fun.

Right from the kick-off, this was a brilliant game of rugby between two enthusiastic teams with no quarter asked or given.

The home side played down the considerable slope in the first third and scored their two tries as they took advantage with their big forwards. Rochdale showed great spirit as they fought back and prevented further scores with some outstanding defence from their giant hooker Curly Kershaw.

Once they'd steadied the ship Rochdale began to take hold of the game through their powerful pack, Ian Murgatroyd, Andy Battersby and Adam Parmesan making a telling contribution.

The Rochdale halfbacks were superb all afternoon and much credit needs to be given, especially to Simon Howe after his recent hand transplant.

Wiggy Whatmough – or The Rochdale Flyer as he likes to be known – scored his sides only try after a well-worked move saw John Schofield and Dave Chrimes link with Tex Fletcher who picked up an Adam Bywater pass off the floor, and handed it on to Wiggy who was on his own dead ball line.

He showed a turn of pace usually only associated with the truly frightened as sped 100 metres down the wing to dive over in the corner.

Debutant Declan Walsh also had a huge impact on the game.

The game was played in a fantastic spirit and enjoyed by all involved even the referee who kept commenting that 'this is the best masters game I've ever reffed' as he tried to keep up with the pace of the game.

All in all, this was a great day for all involved, especially the spectators whose numbers were boosted by the supporters of Mayfield who had arrived to watch their side play Siddal in the NCL.

Everyone enjoyed a quiet pint in the Siddal club afterwards followed by a not-so-quiet pint on the bus on the way back.

The MOM, selected on the bus by Adam 'Chubby' Bywater, went to himself. He said: “I was a revelation at full-back, having a massive impact on the game in both attack and defence.”